At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research on high-stakes English language assessments and ensure their validity.
- Company: Join a global leader in education with a focus on innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for international travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on language assessment and contribute to global education standards.
- Qualifications: Master’s or PhD in relevant fields and expertise in validity theory and research methods.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Advanced Specialist, Researcher (English Language Assessment)
This role aligns to industry-level titles such as Senior Assessment Researcher / Senior Psychometrician.
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced language assessment researcher to join our English Language Learning division, supporting the delivery and ongoing development of high‑stakes English language assessments used globally.
In this role, you’ll lead and contribute to research and validation activities that ensure our assessments are robust, reliable, and fit for purpose.
You’ll work across established products like PTE Academic, as well as new assessment developments, helping to maintain regulatory recognition and support continuous innovation.
Our Team
You will be part of the Assessment Research and Validity team, responsible for ensuring Pearson’s assessments are psychometrically sound and supported by strong validation evidence.
The team works across a range of activities, including test performance monitoring, standards setting, score concordance, and large-scale validity studies—supporting both established assessments and new product development.
Location & Work Setup
UK-based role with remote and hybrid working supported.
37.5 hours per week, with flexibility to support global collaboration.
Occasional international travel may be required.
- Your Key Responsibilities
- Assessment Research & Analysis
- Lead on validation research projects for high-stakes English language assessments.
Own research projects in your area of expertise, designing and delivering studies that interrogate validity evidence and assessment data to draw robust and insightful conclusions.
- Identify trends, risks, and insights from assessment data to inform decision‑making.
- Performance Monitoring & Standards
- Collaborate with other team members to support large-scale projects, such as assessment monitoring, standards maintenance, and score concordance research across the PTE portfolio.
- Product & Innovation Support
- Contribute to the development of reliable and valid assessment products.
- Support field-testing research, ensuring rigorous evaluation of new assessment developments.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
- Communicate findings through technical reports, presentations, and publications.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders across product, research, and delivery teams.
- Contribute to academic publications and represent Pearson at academic and industry conferences.
- What We’re Looking For
Essential Skills & Experience
- Strong expertise in validity theory, language assessment, and both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
- Proven experience working with large-scale, high-stakes assessment programmes. Proficiency in statistical tools and programming languages such as R and Winsteps.
- Ability to analyse complex data and translate it into actionable insights.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical reporting.
- A proactive, curious, and flexible approach to problem-solving.
- Master’s degree or Ph D in educational measurement, psychological measurement, psychometrics, statistics, or related fields preferred.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Specialism in a defined area of language testing (e. g., cognitive validity, linguistic analysis).
- Experience with additional statistical tools such as Facets or Python.
- Knowledge of item banking systems (e. g., CAT, LOFT).
- Familiarity with automated scoring systems for English language assessment.
- Your Rewards & Benefits
We offer attractive UK benefits.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Pearson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify.
Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law.
We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.
If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing Talent Experience Global Team@grp. pearson. com.
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Advanced Specialist, Researcher employer: Pearson
Pearson is an excellent employer that values flexibility and a supportive work culture, making it an ideal place for those seeking part-time opportunities in Birmingham. With a commitment to employee growth, Pearson offers training and development resources, ensuring that staff can enhance their skills while contributing to a meaningful mission of education and assessment. The friendly atmosphere and focus on compliance create a rewarding environment for Test Centre Administrators who enjoy helping candidates succeed.
